Open To Change A sport tries a pro-am format on for size

Four years ago Kurt Browning, the Canadian who won four worldchampionships between 1989 and '93, was banished from amateurfigure skating. Last weekend he got a reprieve of sorts. He wasinvited to skate against the 1998 Olympic champion, Ilia Kulikof Russia, and beat him if he could.

"I had no idea it was something historic," Browning, 32, said ofthe Grand Slam of Figure Skating at the North Charleston (S.C.)Coliseum, the first of 10 "open" competitions to be held thisseason, pitting traitorous professionals like Browning againstestablishment amateurs like Kulik, all with the InternationalSkating Union's blessing. The ISU, which determines eligibility,allows a skater to remain eligible for Olympic competition aslong as he or she skates only in ISU-sanctioned events. Prizemoney? No limit. Endorsements? Bring 'em on. Just don't skate inan unsanctioned event.

Ottavio Cinquanta, president of the ISU, said he was driven totry open competition by Oksana Baiul's decision to turn pro at16, after winning the gold medal at the 1994 Olympics. LikeBrowning and many others (including 1998 Nagano gold medalistTara Lipinski) Baiul turned her back on the rigid structure ofthe ISU's events in favor of made-for-TV spectaculars. Sincethen, as Cinquanta--and anyone with a remote control--could see,professional skaters have been appearing in so many made-for-TVevents of such varying quality that the shows were threateningnot only the integrity but also the popularity of the sport.

"Last year ratings were the lowest in 10 years because peoplewere tired of the made-for-TV events," says Eddie Einhorn, TVconsultant to the ISU. "For 20 years I've been telling the ISUit's making a big mistake in not dealing with the skater after heor she is done with the Olympics."

By sanctioning 10 events this year, and allowing amateurs toskate alongside pros, Cinquanta hopes he has found a way to holdon to both TV ratings and skaters for future Olympics. Lastseason there were 10 unsanctioned events on American TV; thisseason there will be two. "We are investing to be sure thatthere aren't ineligible skaters in the future," Cinquanta said.

In Charleston, the women's winner was Michelle Kwan, the18-year-old Nagano silver medalist who hopes to return for the2002 Games. "This is a wonderful format," said Kwan, whocollected $40,000 for beating professional Yuka Sato in asemifinal round, then Maria Butyrskaya, who is likely to be oneof Kwan's main rivals in Salt Lake City, in a one-on-one final.As for Browning, he was beaten in the semis by Kulik, who thenlost to Todd Eldredge. Could this be a first step towardreinstatement for Browning and others? "No," Cinquanta said."You cannot leave then come back tomorrow."

Still, after the competition ended, Cinquanta approachedBrowning. He held out his hand. "Bravo," said Cinquanta. "You area great champion. We are proud of you."